Artisans, Athletes, Entrepreneurs, and other Skilled Exemplars of the Way [1]

Abstract

We introduce management and spirituality scholars to the “knack” passages from the c. 4th century B.C.E. text, the Zhuangzi [Inline graphic]. The knack passages are parables about low status figures, such as wheelwrights, furniture makers and cooks, whose actions offer insights into the spirituality of ordinary work and, we argue, of entrepreneurship. Such non-corporate settings are lesser-studied domains for spirituality. Ancient Chinese writings have been noticed by spirituality and management writers but we call for deeper scholarly textual attention. We seek also to model more attention to the renaissance in scholarship on classical China. More ambitiously, we hope to show that these passages are not only germane but worthy of careful consideration. Our efforts reflect the influence of Slingerland's (2003) study of “effortless action” as a central soteriological goal in ancient China.

“Enter the dragoness”: firm growth, finance,guanxi, and gender in China

“…In the Chinese context of the primacy of the family, and the indivisibility of society and culture -contrary to the more individualistic and culturally diverse West, -we have collapsed Bourdieu"s social capital and cultural capital into one over-arching concept, of "socio-cultural capital" which more accurately captures guanxi and associated Chinese sociocultural traditions and norms. The importance of Confucian culture and spirituality in Chinese management practices and in influencing individuals to become entrepreneurs should not be underestimated (Redding, 1990;Stewart et al, 2008;Wong, 2008), although conversely Long and Han (2008) have argued against "cultural determinism" of entrepreneurship, believing economic reasons to be more prevalent.…”

Implications of Social Cohesion in Entrepreneurial Collaboration: a Systematic Literature Review

“…The exact role of social cohesion in fostering innovativeness ranges from finding a direct and positive relationship (Wong, 1992) to the finding that the relationship diminishes when social cohesion is excessive (Stewart et al, 2008;Wise, 2014). However, social cohesion may be more likely to have a moderating effect on innovativeness.…”

Entrepreneurial artisan products as regional tourism competitiveness

“…Diverse authors account for how global socioeconomic changes have driven innovation and the restructuring of rural spaces with the objective of participating in the service economy as tourism entrepreneurs (Prince, 2017). Some authors have also already approached the importance of questions of entrepreneurship as fundamental tools for artisanship and tourism (Mokyr, 2013; Ndegwa et al , 2015; Prince, 2017; Ratten and Ferreira, 2017; Stewart et al , 2008).…”

“…Diverse studies have already approached themes such as artisanal products, artisanal entrepreneurship and the direct or indirect relationship between tourism competitiveness and artisan activities (Abreu et al , 2018; Benur and Bramwell, 2015; Kies, 2013; Llonch, 2012; Mokyr, 2013; Norcliffe and Rendace, 2003; Pansiri, 2014; Ratten and Ferreira, 2017; Stewart et al , 2008; Thompson, 2014).…”